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School Newsletter Term 1, Week 1

Friday 31st January 2025

School NewsletterTerm 1, Week 1Friday 31st January 2025

Kia ora,


As we step into the new academic year, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all members of our school community – students, staff, and whānau. I hope you all had a restful and rejuvenating holiday break, ready to embark on another exciting year of learning and growth together.


A big thank you to our dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and welcoming start to the year. Their commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment is the foundation for a positive school experience for everyone. This year, we continue to build on our collective work, particularly in the areas of Structured Literacy and Mathematics, which have been a key focus in our planning over the holiday break. We are excited to continue our journey in Structured Literacy, ensuring that all students have the support and tools they need to succeed in their reading and writing development. Our Maths focus remains equally strong, with a commitment to deepening our students’ understanding and application of mathematical concepts in meaningful ways.


In addition to these areas, we remain dedicated to fostering growth across all curriculum areas. We are constantly adapting our teaching to meet the diverse needs of our students, ensuring that each child is given specific, student-centered coverage to help them thrive in every aspect of their learning.


We also have the privilege of welcoming new staff members and whānau into our community. We look forward to formally welcoming them at our pōwhiri on Tuesday morning. It is always a special occasion, and we invite everyone to join us in this meaningful celebration of our culture, community, and the new beginnings ahead.


Thank you for your continued support. Together, we will make this year a successful and enriching experience for all.


Nga mihi,

Tony West

Principal - Tumuaki

West End School - Te Kura O Urumutu

Pōwhiri on Tuesday

Our school pōwhiri to welcome new whānau and tamariki to West End School will be on Tuesday 4th February. This will start at 9.15am. If you are new to West End School, please meet by the school office at 9am.

No school on Thursday next week

There will be no school next Thursday as it is Waitangi Day, which is a public holiday. School will resume on Friday 7th February.

Do you have our West End School App?

If you do not have our school app on your phone or device, please email dminchin@westend.school.nz and he can send you the link to download our app.


If you already have the app, please click on the alerts, the tick on the top right, and select the teams/clubs/groups that your child is in this year so you can receive all of the information needed throughout the year.


Through our app you are able to view all newsletters, go onto Kindo, report an absence if your child is sick as well as access any important links and information.

Home Screen

Alert Notifications

Signing up for groups your child is in

Breakfast Club starting in Week 2

Breakfast Club timing is 8.15am - 8.30am

Breakfast club this year will provide weetbix and milk. If you have any questions regarding this please email gblack@westend.school.nz. Please remember that Breakfast Club starts at 8.15am, so sending your child to school earlier than this is not needed. Once the Breakfast Club sign is out, this means that it is open. Please remind children to wait in the normal waiting area (next to the turf) until 8.15am.

School timetable changes

Our school gates will open at approximately 8.10am every morning.

A reminder that the bell to come into classes will ring at 8.30am. Children are to wait in the area next to the turf before that time (from 8.15am). Our school gates will open at approximately 8.10am. We are having a lot of children arriving at school without an adult before 8am. We want all of our tamariki to get to school safely. Please ensure they are not arriving too early to school where there is no adult supervision before the start of our school day.


There are a few changes with our timetable this year. This is to help maximize our learning time and set our children up for success. This will be new for our staff as well, so the manaakitanga and kotahitanga we have will help us navigate this change. School will still start and finish at the same time.

Swimming will start next week.

Swimming starts next week. Our times are as follows


Te Wao Nui o Tāne (Room 2, 3, 4, 5) will swim on Monday,

Puāwaitanga (Room 1, 6, 7, 10 and 11) will swim on Tuesday,

Tipuranga (Room 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) will swim on Thursday.


Children will need to bring togs, towel, goggles and if your child has long hair it will need to be tied up for swimming.

Pihipihingā Whānau Hui in Week 3

Pihipihingā Whānau Hui is on Thursday 13th February, starting at 5.30 in Rūma Tahi.

Kaitahi - nau mai haere mai, for a korero and a kai

Upcoming Events

WEEK 2 -

  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 3rd February
  • Pōwhiri - - Tuesday 4th February (starting at 9.15am)
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 4th February
  • Road Patrol Refresher training - Tuesday 4th February: 8.30am - 9.00am
  • Waitangi Day - Thursday 6th February - NO SCHOOL


WEEK 3 -

  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 10th February
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 11th February
  • Plant to Plate for Room 4 - Wednesday 12th February
  • New Entrant Visits - Wednesday 12th February - 1.50pm
  • Swimming for Tipuranga - Thursday 13th February
  • Whānau Hui for Pihipihingā - Thursday 13th February at 5.30pm



WEEK 4 -

  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 17th February
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 18th February
  • New Entrant Visits - Wednesday 19th February - 1.50pm
  • Swimming for Tipuranga - Thursday 20th February

Term 1 is Sunhat Season!

A reminder that as we approach Term 4, all students are required to wear a wide brimmed sunhat during times they are outside - including all breaks and times that classes are in the sun. Please provide a hat for your child to wear from the start of term. No caps allowed as we need hats that will protect your child's neck and ears - refer picture below. Please also pop some sunscreen in your child's bag to keep them sun safe and a named water bottle to keep them hydrated.

PE at West End

Welcome back to Term 1! We are very excited with all the opportunities that will come our way this year in the sporting arena, building off the success of last year.


There is a tight turn around for Term One Sports, if you are wanting to play one of the following please sign up sooner rather than later. We no longer accept late registrations and need a whanau member to coach each school team. Coaching involves a practice and organisation with other parents. If you would like to coach a team please contact Mrs Black as there are great perks!


  • Hockey Years 1 -6
  • Netball Years 5 -6
  • Futsal Years 3-6
  • Before School Tennis Coaching
  • Smash Cricket



Weetbix Kids TRYathlon - This will continue being whanau driven in 2025. West End will not have a gazebo on site as Mrs Black will be on maternity leave. We wish every participant to enjoy the spectacular event. Top tips, have a bin at the transition station with your own personalised balloon to make it super easier to find. Also have a meeting point with whanau members once the race has been completed to collect equipment later on in the day.

Term Dates 2025

Term 1: Monday 29 Jan - Friday 11 April

Term 2: Monday 28 April - Friday 27 June

Term 3: Monday 14 July - Friday 19 Sept

Term 4: Monday 6 Oct - Friday 12 Dec

Ballot Dates 2025

Ballot Dates Drawn at 11.30am of the dates stated below

Term 1 for Term 2: Wednesday 26 February 2025

Term 2 for Term 3: Wednesday 14 May 2025

Term 3 for Term 4: Wednesday 30 July 2025

Term 4 for Term 1 2026: Wednesday 29 October 2025

If your child is absent from school.

It is really important under the current circumstances you notify the school if your child is absent.


PLEASE DO NOT TXT OR EMAIL THE CLASSROOM TEACHER.

ALL ABSENCES SHOULD BE ADVISED VIA THE OFFICE.


Please remember to advise the office by 8.30am if your child is not attending school.

You can telephone 358-2465 and leave a message or txt 021 118 0156.

ABSENCES CAN ALSO BE SENT EASILY THROUGH OUR SCHOOL APP


In both cases please give a reason for absence.

Thank you.

Kindo Online Shop

It is very important that families register with Kindo, as this is now the only way to register your child for school sports, and ordering PTA lunches.
Below are the links to register.
If you require help please call the Kindo helpdesk on

0508 454 636

New users need this link

Existing users need this link

West End School
Te Kura o Urumutu
Email: office@westend.school.nz
Location: West End School, 196 College Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 358 2465